There is a really tough enemy just past the save point, so when going around the corner, stay left. Get to the enemy using the box and bars when it comes moving back. There is a movable box to push to the wall and wall run across - just start the wall run when the enemy at the top turns around and walks away from you. Persian Ninja will have just enough time to wall run, bounce and stealth kill this loser (or you can throw it off the platform). Hit the wall switch and quickly wall run and wedge over to the ledge structure. Wedge jump to the exit and Dark Weiner Ninja will take over.

(ABOVE LEFT) There is an enemy right past this box after the save. Avoid running out into the open as usual.(ABOVE RIGHT) Instead, wait on the bars above and stealth kill it.(BELOW LEFT) Move the box to the scratches on the wall.(BELOW RIGHT) Wait for the enemy to turn around at the top before starting the wall run and bounce.

As Dark Ninja, you have limited time to get to the next area before the life runs out. For the first section descend the chain and kill the enemies there. Don't break objects until your life is about to run out. Stab the switch to close the wall panels and chain swing across. Head down the curtain and jump chain swing to the second set of enemies. Secondary, primary, primary attack will do a little more damage if you want. Once all the enemies on the second platform are dead, stab the switch and chain swing to the wedges and travel to the third platform.

(ABOVE LEFT) Aside from chain swings and wedge jumps, the way to each island is to locate the stab switch on each to raise or lower the panels.(ABOVE RIGHT) Once the platforms are raised or lowered, move on quickly.(BELOW LEFT) Wall run, bounce and chain swing to the final section.(BELOW RIGHT) This chain block is the last obstacle to the water pool. Pull it out, wall run and you'll be normal again.

Kill the loser on the third platform and wedge jump to the fourth platform. Be quick - if you dwaddle, you note the lifebar decreases to dangerous levels. After hitting the stab switch, use the beam to reach the new platform and run across to the next spot. Wall run bounce to reach the second extended platform and chain swing across (after a wall run). Land and quickly hang on the ledge to yank out the chain switch block. This lets Dark Ninja wall run to the ladder and yank out a second chain switch block. Wall run from there to the water.

Sand Portal 8 of 9.

As Persian Ninja once more, there is a check point here, but there are actually four enemies (the second red enemy is on a higher platform you may not see at the beginning). However, the most dangerous thing are the two red enemies since either can can call on many enemies from the portal. So to get rid of it jump on the bars across and head for the chain rope on the far end of the room. Descend that chain as far down as possible and wait.

The first (tough, but normal) enemy to hit is right under the chain, but Persian Ninja needs to strike when the red enemy looks away. Once you start, you have only enough time to stealth kill the enemy and head behind the small wooden structure to remain undetected. Jump to the ledge and when the red enemy behind the upper palisade turns around near the edge, wall run and stealth kill it (the landscape camera will show you a good window).

(ABOVE LEFT) There are two red portal guards, but only the bottom one can activate the portal alarm. Kill the first enemy from the first chain when the other enemy looks away.(ABOVE RIGHT) Immediately run up or get behind the structure to avoid detection.(BELOW LEFT) Stealth kill the second red enemy in the corner by wall running and wedge jumping at it when it turns around at the edge of the platform.(BELOW RIGHT) Stealth kill the second enemy from the second chain, again when the red enemy looks away, and use the wall in the middle to reach the last stealth kill point.

Note that entering stealth kill mode from the wedge is automatic once Persian Ninja jumps off at the red enemy. Kill this guy, then wall run to the palisade and use the chain rope for the tough enemy's stealth kill when the other guy is looking the other way. Quickly move behind the wall in the middle and use the top as a ledge to reach a good beam to stealth kill the second red enemy. Claim the upgrade and move on.

Moving on means the lower passageway blocked by miter stones. Slow time will be needed to cross the traps here, which move way to fast to bypass normally. The safest place is on top of a sliding block trap where Persian Ninja can just run or jump over the majority of deadliness. Stay away from the walls and this section should be easy (with slow time). The end of the hallway has a save point. It is important to refill all the sand tanks to maximum before saving and moving on via the stab switch.

Le Royal Workshop

The Royal Workshop is burning, but there is no real time limit. There are also no enemies here, nor should you be stupid enough to fall off and die. Considering the amount of junk and enemies available just previously, you can come into this save with all six sand tanks full, which is ncessary since the next two sections are literally some of the hardest in the game.

Try not to die in the workshop and if the sand tanks are empty, to fill them by breaking the jars and junk in the room.

The sand guard's weapon will refill all your sand tanks, if you sit in the workshop for a few minutes. Persian Ninja won't be able to carry it over to the next stage (secondary weapons are destroyed when a CG movie occurs).

(ABOVE LEFT) Get to the statue's controls by using the sceptre as a column to the upper level.(ABOVE RIGHT) The turnstile changes direction, the stab switch activates the motion. Note there is a second set of controls on the other side of the workshop.

To reach the statue movement controls, climb the statue's staff (it is a column) and jump to the ledge on the side. Grab the ledge and work over to the platform. There are two controls on each platform. The turnstile switch will turn or move the statue while the stab switch will change the rotation or movement direction. Since there is no time and this puzzle is easy beyond comparison, you may experiment how to go about it.

Forwards

Clockwise

Clockwise

Forwards

Clockwise

Backwards

Clockwise

Forwards

Clockwise

Forwards

Counter-clockwise

Forwards (repeatedly)

Note that the statue will need to come forward, turn one way (to avoid the first ceiling strut), come forward, turn to face the front, go backwards, turn so the book faces the other side, go past the second ceiling strut, then have the book face the front one last time before the statue can be brought to ram through the double doors. Once the last turn of the turnstile switch carries the statue through the doors, this section is over.

Don't forget that the landscape camera will let you see the statue in its entirety. Once the movie starts, be ready to move the cursor up to "Say Yes" to the saving. Otherwise, you will kick yourself for being a dumb-ass.

Le Kings Road

The chariot race here will be a checkpoint, as well as a save point. Like the first chariot race, glancing blows with the walls and obstacles will affect the steering but headlong collisions will destroy the chariot. Opt to die instead of using valuable sand here -- the only exception being one or two when you are near the end (past the second cave with road obstacles).

The reason why you want to use stand sparingly here at the chariot race is at the end of the track, Persian Ninja faces off against an annoying boss that can only be killed by one method, and they do a lot of damage on Hard. The only tips here are to memorise the racetrack and to steer as straight as possible while keeping eyes on the road and potential obstacles. Tap primary lightly to shake off enemies who hang on. Slow time is wasted on this course, but reverse time can help cover a rare mistake.

Boss - Sword and Axe Sand Warriors.

This boss is by far the most frustrating boss you will face (perhaps with the exception of the final boss). There is only one way to kill these two and not only will it require two stealth kill sequences, but they do a lot of damage if you screw up evading them.

For the most part, you cannot damage either boss, not yet. Persian Ninja needs to attack the sword boss and lull the axe boss into doing an overhead chop (usually slow-mo). Persian Ninja needs this opening, so immedaitely stop attacking and evade the axe boss. When the axe boss misses, it is stuck for a little bit. Hit it a few times, keeping mind the sword boss can attack through the axe boss. Don't get greedy, focus on just preserving life and hit the axe boss when you can before moving away.

(ABOVE LEFT) Attack this boss to make the other open itself to attack.(ABOVE RIGHT) Avoid fighting on the edge and stay between the bosses (strange, but true). As long as you BLOCK the sword boss and EVADE the axe boss, you are doing well. Damage the axe boss only after evading the overhead chop. Stealth kill once the axe boss' life gets low.

Stay away from the edge of the ring or the fire will damage you unnecessarily. Repeat luring the axe boss into attacking so you can hit it when its axe is stuck in the ground. See you in 15 minutes. Once the boss life meter is low, evading the axe boss' overhead chop will result in a stealth kill opportunity. Basically, any remaining sand you have is used to reverse time to re-do stealth blows if you miss. Once the double stealth kill is done, the Persian Ninja will need to weaken the axe boss a second time using the old attack the sword boss and evade the axe in the back pattern. A second stealth kill event will occur once the life is low and both bosses will be defeated.

After a short run to the palace as the Dark Ninja, there is a save point. The jaunt as the Dark Ninja should be one of the tougher sessions you face, although only if you did not find all the sand tanks and life upgrades thus far (mostly life upgrades). It's otherwise fairly easy to retry the section, hit the water and the save point in the palace. Just note that the sections are now very long and require slow time to do. Kill enemies using secondary and always aim to do everything in one swoop -- miss once and you might as well retry. Save the game unless you enjoy fighting these bosses again when your power systems fail.